Fluid lifting apparatus



Nov. 9,

Filed Feb. 3, 1965 f n; I i

B. F. WALDRON FLUID LIFTING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 flew/0m? f. Wa/aron INVENTOR k rKI-n-LA A Ira/PM: VJ

Nov. 9, 1965 B. F. WALDRON FLUID LIFTING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Feb. 5. 1965 0/007? F. Wa/

INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,216,368 FLUID LIFTING APPARATUS Benjamin F.Waldron, 4518 Dewberry, Houston, Tex. Filed Feb. 3, 1965, Ser. No.429,992 3 Claims. (Cl. 103260) This application is acontinuation-in-part of my copending United States patent applicationSerial No. 271,- 975 filed April 10, 1963, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a new and improved fluid liftingapparatus for lifting fluids in a well.

Many problems inherent in ordinary rod and tubing pumps such as wear ofthe sucker rods, tubing, and check valves are eliminated by the presentinvention which employs an actuating fluid rather than moving parts tolift the fluid in the well.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedfluid lifting device in which an actuating fluid is provided forimparting movement to a well fluid or other primary fluid.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved apparatus in which an actuating fluid is introduced into afirst chamber and circulated through a choke or chokes into a secondchamber to move a fluid in the second chamber in the direction in whichthe actuating fluid is directed through the choke or chokes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedfluid lifting system in which an actuating fluid is directed into oneconfined area, such as a tubing string in a well, and circulated throughchoke means into a second confined area, such as a production string inthe tubing string, to move a liquid in the production string in thedirection in which the actuating fluid is injected through the chokemeans.

And yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved fluid lifting system in which actuating fluid is jetted ina well pipe to cause other fluid in the well pipe to move therewith inthe Well pipe.

And still a further object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved pumping arrangement in which an actuating fluid is pumpedupwardly through a venturi opening into a string of production tubing todraw other fluid in the production tubing upwardly through the venturiopening.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pumping systemfor raising fluids in a well pipe in which an actuating fluid is pumpedthrough a plurality of venturi nozzles arranged in a well pipe to liftother fluid in the well pipe.

And another object of the present invention is to provide a pumpingsystem in which an actuating fluid is pumped under high pressure throughone or more venturi nozzles into a pipe in a well communicating thestrata from which fluid is being pumped to draw fluid from such strataand move it upwardly through the pipe to the earths surface.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedfluid lift apparatus wherein a venturi and a nozzle are mounted in apipe string, the venturi being tapered downwardly and outwardly, and thenozzle extending into the venturi taper but less than one-half thelength of the taper, said nozzle having an upwardly and outwardly flareddischarge opening, whereby actuating fluid discharging from the nozzlecreates a fluid flow at the central portion of the nozzle for liftingoil or other fluid therewith through the nozzle while avoiding thecreation of an excessively high pressure in the venturi which mightrestrict the inflow of the oil or other fluid being lifted.

The preferred embodiment of this invention will be describedhereinafter, together with other features thereof,

and additional objects will become evident from such description.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawingsforming a part thereof wherein an example of the invention is shown andwhere- 1n:

FIG. 1 is a view partly in elevation and p'artly in section of thedevice of the present invention in a well bore;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are vertical sectional views of the upper and lowerportions, respectively, of the pumping unit of the present inventiontaken on line 2A, B-2A, B of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2Ashowing construction details of one form of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. ZAshowing additional construction details of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view showing construction details ofanother form of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view, partly in elevation and partly in section,illustrating a modified form of the present invention, wherein multipletubing strings are illustrated for simultaneously producing frommultiple formatrons;

F IG. 7 is a detailed elevation, partly in section, illustramg one ofthe preferred fluid lifting devices of FIG. 6; an

FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7to illustrate further details thereof.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, the letter A designates generally theapparatus of this invention. Briefly, such apparatus A includes one ormore hydrostatic chokes or pumps P of this invention which arepreferably supported in a well W for lifting well fluid such as oil tothe surface S of the well from the level L of such well fluid in thewell. As will be explained hereinafter in detail, actuatmg fluid such assalt water, air or other fluid under pressure is discharged through thehydrostatic chokes P to urge the well fluid upwardly toward the wellsurface S.

In one form of this invention as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B of thedrawings, each of the hydrostatic chokes or pumps P comprises a bodymember or housing '12 having threaded portions 12a at each end forconnecting the member 12 to connector pipes 14 which connect and supporthydrostatic chokes or pumps P in the well W. The connector pipes 14 alsoestablish communication between the pumps P which are connectedtogether.

A plurality of channels 16 (FIGS. 2A and 3) extend longitudinallythrough the body 12 to convey the well fluid such as oil which is beingpumped by the pump P. Each channel 16 extends from a lower bore 12b toan upper bore so as to form together a well fluid chamber. A pluralityof chokes or venturi tubes 17 are connected in a header 18 which may beconnected to or integral with the upper end of the body 12 and which arein communication with the bore 120. Each choke 17 has a frusto-conicalinterior configuration with the smaller diameter end extending upwardlyinto the connector 14 and the large diameter end opening into the bore12c. Each venturi tube 17 is preferably secured by threads 17a for easyremoval or replacement. Each venturi 17 has a restriction 17b of uniformdiameter at its upper end which merges with an internal tapered borewhich is tapered downwardly and outwardly.

A plurality of passages or fluid conductors 21 are longitudinallydisposed in the body 12 in alternate circumferentially spacedrelationship to the channels 16 (FIG. 3) so as to prevent directcommunication therebetween. The lower end 21a is closed to prevent fluidfrom the bore 12b from flowing into the passages 21. A nozzle 22 foreach venturi 17 is threaded by threads 22a or is otherwise secured inthe body 12 at the upper end 21b of each passage 21 to discharge fluidthrough the venturi 17 located thereabove. Laterally extending ports 23are provided for each passage 21 for introducing the actuating fluidinto each passage 24 from the tubing T or other area outside of the body12. Each nozzle 22 has a lower bore 22b, a restriction 22c and an upperoutwardly and upwardly flared discharge opening 22d. Each nozzle 22extends into a choke 17 but not more than one-half the length of thetapered bore 17c. By reason of such construction of the nozzle with theflared opening 22d and the position of the nozzle 22 in the taper 170,the actuating fluid flows at a higher velocity at the center of thechoke 17 and an efifecti've lift is created to lift the oil with theactuating fluid.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2B of the drawings, in the preferred formof this invention, a screen 24 is supported in the well at the lower endof the tubing T at approximately the depth of the formation F from whichwell fluid is being drawn. A hollow screen support housing 26 supportsthe screen 24 at the lower end of the tubing T. The screen supporthousing 26 has internal threaded portions 26a and 26b at each end forconnecting the upper end of the housing 26 to the tubing T and forconnecting the lower end of the housing 26 to the screen 24. A sleeve 30formed of rubber or other resilient material extends circumferentiallyabout the inner wall 260 of the housing 26. The rubber sleeve or liner30 is restrained against longitudinal travel by an annular restrainingflange 27 extending circumferentially of the inside of the screensupport housing 26 between the threaded portions 26a and 26b of thehousing 26. The central openings 30a and 27a formed in the sleeve 30 andthe restraining flange 27, respectively, are tapered to receive atapered sealing block 32 which is threadedly attached to the lower endof the conductor pipe 14 to engage the sleeve 30 to seal the actuatingfluid in the tubing T from communication with the screen 24 and theformation F from which well fluid is being drawn. A sealing ring 34which may either be floating or formed integrally with the sleeve 30, isprovided above the sleeve 30 for engagement by the annular shoulder 35of the tapered block 32 to urge the sleeve 30 downward against therestraining flange 27 to increase the sealing pressure between thetapered block 32 and the sleeve 30.

The tapered sealing block 32 has a central opening or passage 33 whichis aligned with the connector 14 to communicate fluid entering thescreen 25 with the chamber 16 inthe connector 14.

The screen 24 may be formed of a foraminous material with perforations25 of any convenient size.

In the operation or use of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4,an actuating fluid, such as salt water, is pumped under pressuredownwardly in the well W through the tubing annulus between the tubing Tand the pump or pumps P. The actuating fluid is admitted through theports 23 to the passages 21 in the pump body 12 and then is dischargedunder pressure by the nozzles 22 through the venturi tubes 17. As theactuating fluid is discharged under pressure by the nozzles 22 throughthe venturis 17, well fluid such as oil in the chamber defined by theupper bore 120, passages 16, and the lower bore 1211 will be drawnthrough the venturis 17 due to the low pressure area created in thethroat of each venturi 17 by the velocity or jetting of the salt wateror other actuating fluid. The mixture of the oil and salt water is thusdischarged at high velocity from the upper ends of the venturis 17 intothe connector pipe 14 thereabove and from there to either another pumpat a higher elevation or to the surface S or other discharge point.Normally, a plurality of pumps P are used at four-hundred-footintervals, although such spacing and the number of pumps will varydepending upon operating conditions. Thus, by raising well fluid andactuating fluid from one pump to the next successive pump, well fluidmay be lifted or pumped from the stratum or formation from which it isdrawn to the surface of the well.

Either the nozzles 22 or the venturis 17, or both, may be easily removedfor repair or cleaning in the event of clogging, or, other nozzles orventuris of various sizes and diameters may be interchanged as desiredfor handling various fluids under various conditions.

In FIG. 5, a cross-section of a modified form of the invention is shownwherein the body 112 corresponds with the body 12, but only one channel116 and one passage 121 are provided instead of the plurality ofchannels 16 and passages 21 shown in FIGS. 1-4. It will thus be evidentthat the number of channels and passages in the body of the pump P maybe varied for regulating the volume flow and pressure conditions in anyparticular situation.

Also, as the pumps P are interchangeable, a pumping system may bearranged wherein one or more of the pumps P may have a single chamber116 and a single passage 121 in a certain stage of the lifting orpumping operation and one or more of the pumps P may have a plurality ofchambers 16 and passages 21 at another stage of the pumping operation.

Another form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. In FIG. 6, awell bore W- l is illustrated with a plurality of producing wellformat-ions E 1, F-2 and F-3. A plurality of tubing strings T-1, T-2 andT-3 are illustrated as being disposed in the well bore W'1. Aconventional seal S-l formed of rubber or other similar material isdisposed in the well bore W1 below the tubing string T-l. The tubingstrings T-2 and T-3 pass through the seal 8-1 so that only the oil orother fluid from the formation F-l is in communication with the lowerend of the tubing string T-l. The well formation F-2 is sealed err by asecond seal or packing 8-2 which is also of conventional construction,and through which only the tubing string T-3 passes. Thus, the formationF-Z is in communication with the lower end of the tubing string T-2while the formation F-3 is in communication with the lower end of thetubing string T-3. It will be understood that although the tubingstrings T-1, T-2, and T-3 are shown spaced from each other and disposedin substantially the same plane, in actual practice, they are arrangedvery close together and are grouped within the well bore W-1 so as tooccupy a minimum amount of space. Likewise, the well bore W1 may be anextremely slim hole which is common today in multiple zone production.

Within the tubing string T-l, a pipe string P-1 is disposed. Likewisewithin the tubing string T-2 a pipe string P-2 is disposed, and withinthe tubing string T-3 another pipe string P-3 is disposed. Each of thepipe strings P1, P-2 and P3 are preferably made in the same manner andtherefore an explanation of only the pipe string P1 Will be provided.

At the lower end of the pipe string P-l, a packer or seal is providedwhich may correspond exactly with the packer or seal 30 shown in FIG.2B, or it may be any other suitable type of packing element to preventthe flow of fluid from the formation F'1 into the tubing T 1, butinstead to direct it to the bore of the pipe string P-l as best seen inFIG. 6. The annulus between the tubing string T-l and the pipe stringP-l is provided for the introduction of an actuating fluid in the samemanner as heretofore described in connection with FIG. 1. A plurality ofhydrostatic chokes H1 and H2 are provided in the pipe string P-l, one ofwhich is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, in the preferredembodiment of the hydrostatic choke H-1, a venturi 117 is provided,which basically corresponds with the venturi 17 of FIG. 2A. The venturi117 has an upper bore 11712 which provides a restriction and is of auniform diameter through out its length. Such restriction 117b mergeswith a downwardly and outwardly tapered bore '117c in the venturi 117.The venturi 117 has external threads 1 17a which are connected to anadapter section 118, which in turn is threaded or otherwise connected toa body section 112 therebelow. The lowermost section shown in FIG. 7 isindicated at 114 as being threaded to the lower end of the body 112, andit can be the portion which extends down through the packer 130 (FIG.6), or alternatively, it can be connect-ed to the upper end of a venturisection 117 disposed therebelow.

The body section 112 has a bore 121 therein which is closed at its lowerend 121a, and which is in communication with a plurality of ports 123 sothat fluid from the annulus between the pipe string P 1 and the tubingstring T-l may flow inwardly into the bore 121.

A nozzle 122 is disposed at the upper end of the bore 121 and ispreferably connected thereto by threads 122a. Each nozzle 122 has aninner bore 122b therethrough, which merges with a discharge opening 1220having its surfaces tapered or flared upwardly and outwardly at an anglewhich is opposite to that of the tapered bore 117c.

It is to be noted that the nozzle 122 extends upwardly into the taperedbore 117e, but it does not extend up beyond one-half of the length ofthe tapered bore 1170. It has been found that effective lifting actionof oil or other fluid is accomplished with the construction justdescribed since the actuating fluid which passes through the dischargenozzle 122 is moving at a high velocity in the central portion, but dueto the flare 122c, the velocity at the outer portions of the nozzle 1170are reduced and a high pressure is avoided which might otherwiseinterfere with the intake of oil flowing upwardly from around the nozzle122, as will be more evident hereinafter.

The oil comes upwardly from the formation F-l through the body section114 and passes through one or more longitudinal passages 112a, none ofWhich are in communication with the ports 123 or the bore 121.Therefore, the oil and the actuating fluid are kept separately from eachother until after the oil has reached the level of the nozzle 122. Thus,the oil accumulates in the chamber 1120 and as the actuating fluid isdischarged upwardly from the nozzle 122, the oil is lifted by thelifting action of such actuating fluid around the exterior of the nozzle122 and upwardly with the actuating fluid through the choke or venturi1176. It is to be noted that the diameter of the nozzle 122 is less thanthe diameter of the tapered bore 1170 so as to provide the annularpassage for the upward flow of the oil as it is lifted by the actuatingfluid discharging from the nozzle 122.

The hydrostatic choke H-2, and any other hydrostatic chokes which may beemployed in the pipe string P-l are preferably formed in the same manneras heretofore described in connection with the choke H-l and thereforethe same numerals have been applied thereto in FIG. 6. Also, the pipestrings P2 and P-3 have the same or similar hydrostatic chokeconstructions to that illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

With the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, multiple zonesmay be produced simultaneously or separately, using the actuating fluidintroduced at the surface of the well to effect a lifting of the oil orother fluid from each formation as desired.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention isillustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size,shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction may be made within the scope of the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1. Fluid lifting apparatus for use in a well,comprising: (a) a pipe string adapted to extend downwardly into a well,

(b) a tubing string disposed substantially concentrically around thepipe string and spaced annularly therefrom to form an annulustherebetween,

(c) a venturi choke disposed in said pipe string and having a downwardlyand outwardly tapered lower bore,

(d) a nozzle extending longitudinally into said tapered inner bore for adistance slightly less than one-half of the length of said tapered innerbore,

(e) said nozzle having an external diameter less than the diameter ofsaid tapered inner bore to provide an externally tapered annular passagearound the nozzle in the tapered inner bore,

(f) said nozzle being formed with a flow passage which terminates at itsupper end in an upwardly and outwardly flared surface,

(g) a first fluid passage means in said pipe string for admittingactuating fluid from the annulus between the tubing string and the pipestring into said nozzle, and

(h) a second fluid passage means in said pipe string for flowing wellfluid upwardly to said nozzle for the lifting thereof upwardly above thenozzle by the actuating fluid as it discharges from the nozzle into theventuri choke.

2. Fluid lifting apparatus for use in a well, comprising:

(a) a pipe string adapted to extend downwardly into a well,

(b) a tubing string disposed substantially concentrically around thepipe string and spaced annularly there from to form an annulustherebetween,

(c) a plurality of hydrostatic chokes disposed at longitudinally spacedintervals in said pipe string, each hydrostatic choke including:

(1) a venturi choke disposed in said pipe string and having a downwardlyand outwardly tapered lower bore,

(2) a nozzle extending longitudinally into said tapered inner bore for adistance slightly less than one-half of the length of said tapered innerbore,

(3) said nozzle having an external diameter less than the diameter ofsaid tapered inner bore to provide an annular externally tapered passagearound the nozzle in the tapered inner bore,

(4) said nozzle being formed with a flow passage which terminates at itsupper end in an upwardly and outwardly flared surface,

(5) a first fluid passage means in said pipe string for admittingactuating fluid from the annulus between the tubing string and the pipestring into said nozzle, and

'( 6) a second fluid passage means in said pipe string for flowing wellfluid upwardly to said nozzle for the lifting thereof upwardly above thenoz- 'zle by the actuating fiuid as it discharges from the nozzle intothe venturi choke.

'3. Fluid lifting apparatus for use in a well, comprising:

(a) a pipe string adapted to extend downwardly into a Well,

(b) a tubing string disposed substantially concentrically around thepipe string and spaced annularly therefrom to form an annulustherebetween,

-(c) a plurality of venturi chokes disposed at substantially the sameelevation in the pipe string, each of said venturi chokes having adownwardly and outwardly tapered lower bore,

(d) a nozzle extending longitudinally into the tapered bore of eachventuri choke for a distance slightly less than one-half the length ofeach such bore,-

(e) said nozzle having an external diameter less than the diameter ofsaid tapered inner bore to provide an externally tapered annular passagearound the nozzle in the tapered inner bore,

(f) said nozzle being formed with a flow passage which terminates at itsupper end in an upwardly and outwardly flared surface,

(g) a first fiuid passage means in said pipe string for 7 admittingactuating fluid from the annulus between the tubing string and the pipestring into said noz zles, and- (h) a second fluid passage means in saidpipe string for flowing well fluid upwardly to said nozzles for thelifting thereof upwardly above the nozzles by the actuating fluid as itdischarges from the nozzles into the venturi choke.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 47,399 4/65Crooker 103260 0 Hibberd 103--266 Hall 103--260 Conord 103-260 ONeil103-261 Hard 103258 McMahon 103260 Moore 10346 DONLEY I. STOCKING,Primary Examiner.

10 WARREN E. COLEMAN, Examiner.

1. FLUID LIFTING APPARATUS FOR USE IN A WELL, COMPRISING: (A) A PIPESTRING ADAPTED TO EXTEND DOWNWARDLY INTO A WELL, (B) A TUBING STRINGDISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY CONCENTRICALLY AROUND THE PIPE STRING AND SPACEDANNULARLY THEREFROM TO FORM AN ANNULUS THEREBETWEEN, (C) A VENTURI CHOKEDISPOSED IN SAID PIPE STRING AND HAVING A DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLYTAPERED LOWER BORE, (D) A NOZZLE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY INTO SAIDTAPERED INNER BORE FOR A DISTANCE SLIGHTLY LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF THELENGTH OF SAID TAPERED INNER BORE, (E) SAID NOZZLE HAVING AN EXTERNALDIAMETER LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID TAPERED INNER BORE TO PROVIDE ANEXTERNALLY TAPERED ANNULAR PASSAGE AROUND THE NOZZLE IN THE TAPEREDINNER BORE, (F) SAID NOZZLE BEING FORMED WITH A FLOW PASSAGE WHICHTERMINATES AT ITS UPPER END IN AN UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY FLARED SURFACE,(G) A FIRST FLUID PASSAGE MEANS IN SAID PIPE STRING FOR ADMITTINGACTUATING FLUID FROM THE ANNULUS BETWEEN THE TUBING STRING AND THE PIPESTRING INTO SAID NOZZLE, AND (H) A SECOND FLUID PASSAGE MEANS IN SAIDPIPE STRING FOR FLOWING WELL FLUID UPWARDLY TO SAID NOZZLE FOR THELIFTING THEREOF UPWARDLY ABOVE THE NOZZLE BY THE ACTUATING FLUID AS ITDISCHARGES FROM THE NOZZLE INTO THE VENTURI CHOKE.